The Melkus Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyNashville, Tennessee · EIN 62-1518285 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$7.3M
Organizations funded75
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$147.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $100,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
44% of grants went outside Tennessee.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $1,000,000 |
| Belmont University | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $989,184 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $500,000 |
| Ancora Tn | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $400,000 |
| City Harvest | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $300,000 |
| Martha O'bryan Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $294,940 |
| Community Foundation of Collier County | Naples, FL | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $270,000 |
| National Resources Defense Council | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250,000 |
| Renewal House | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250,000 |
| Children's Aid Society | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $214,534 |
| Planned Parenthood | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200,000 |
| Sexual Assault Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200,000 |
| Care Inc | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200,000 |
| Manna Food Bank Inc | Mills River, NC | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200,000 |
| Pencil Foundation | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $125,000 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100,000 |
| Kipp Academy Nashville | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100,000 |
| Nashville Zoo | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100,000 |
| Sanctuary for Families | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100,000 |
| United Way | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $100,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $84,086 |
| The Addis Clinic | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $80,000 |
| Community Foundation | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75,000 |
| Community Resource Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75,000 |
| Tennessee Justice Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $75,000 |
| American Immigration Council | Washington, DC | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $60,000 |
| Hospitality House of Nashville | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $50,000 |
| The Family Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $50,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Brentwood, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $50,000 |
| Awake | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $40,000 |
| Tennessee Innocence Project | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $40,000 |
| Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $30,000 |
| Camp One Step | Chicago, IL | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Conservancy of Southwest Florida | Naples, FL | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Cumberland Heights | Hermitage, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Fifty Forward | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Gilda's Club Nashville | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Graham-Windham Services for Family & Children | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Leitner Center for International Law and Justice | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association | Highland Park, IL | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| The Immokalee Foundation | Naples, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| The Foundation Middle Tn State | Murfreesboro, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $25,000 |
| The Imagine Project | Brooklyn, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $20,000 |
| The Phil Ramone Orchestra for Children | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $16,000 |
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| China Rescue Dogs | Vass, NC | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Jdrf | Brentwood, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Nashville Symphony | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Oasis Center | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Road Dogs & Rescue | Lomita, CA | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| The Bowery Mission | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Voices for a Safer Tn | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Houston, TX | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Ellie Fund | Needham, MA | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Faith Family Medical | Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Henry C Food Drivemt Juliet Help Center | Mt Juliet, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $10,000 |
| Philanthropy New York | New York, NY | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $5,650 |
| American Diabetes Association | Merrifield, VA | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 75 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,332,734 | 75 |
| 2023 | $5,570,540 | 72 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513179349101911
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 62-1518285
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.